The Minority in Parliament has dismissed as false claims by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, that about 8,000 Ghanaian refugees displaced by the Gbinyiri conflict in the Savanna Region have returned home from Côte d’Ivoire.
In a press statement issued on Friday, September 19, and signed by Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Minority insisted that contrary to the Minister’s account, all 5,000 Ghanaian refugees remain stranded in Vonkoro, with thousands more scattered across other host communities in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the statement, findings from a joint ‘Multisectoral Rapid Assessment of the Humanitarian Impact of the Conflict’ —conducted by government and international partners including UNHCR, IOM, WFP, WHO, FAO, World Vision, and Catholic Relief Services—show that about 48,000 people were affected by the conflict, with roughly 13,000 fleeing to Côte d’Ivoire and others to Burkina Faso.
The Minority stressed that refugee leaders in Vonkoro confirmed to them that no mass return had taken place.
“The leadership confirmed that the 5,000 Ghanaian refugees are still hosted in Vonkoro, while the remaining 8,000 are scattered across the other host communities… Any reports of mass return are misleading at this stage,” the statement said.
The caucus also criticized the government for neglecting the refugees, noting that apart from the Foreign Minister’s recent visit, the Ghanaian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire has made no effort to engage or support them.
They further cited remarks from the Savanna Regional Minister, who had earlier admitted that although calm was returning, reintegration would take time due to mistrust among affected populations.
The Minority delegation, which visited Vonkoro to establish the facts, show solidarity, and extend humanitarian aid, donated CFA 2 million to the stranded refugees.
They also accused government of failing to prevent the Gbinyiri conflict, which they described as avoidable.
The Minority called on President John Dramani Mahama to take urgent steps to restore peace in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Bole Districts and ensure the safe and dignified return of citizens.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
